Drew Johnson •
Portland Press Herald •
Oct 9, 2026
AwardsMassachusettsMaine Trust for Local NewsPortland Press HeraldMaine Sunday TelegramNew England Newspaper & Press Association
The Portland Press Herald and the Maine Sunday Telegram were awarded first‑place honors in the New England Newspaper of the Year categories for large‑circulation weekday and Sunday publications at the New England Newspaper & Press Association’s annual conference in Sturbridge, Massachusetts. Education reporters Riley Board and Emily Duggan also received individual awards for their coverage of an abuse lawsuit involving the Hyde School and for parents’ rights reporting.
Facilities:Maine Trust for Local News, Portland Press Herald, Maine Sunday Telegram, New England Newspaper & Press Association
Key Figures:Scott Monroe, Riley Board, Emily Duggan, Drew Johnson
A federal judge has allowed a lawsuit against Hyde School to proceed, alleging abuse and forced labor. The lawsuit, filed by former student Jessica Fuller, claims the school violated human trafficking, forced labor, and negligence laws. The school has denied the allegations, but the judge has ruled that the case can move forward.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Laura Gauld, Malcolm Gauld, Joe Gauld, Georgia Gauld MacMillan, Donald MacMillan, Laurie Gauld Hurd
Riley Board •
The Portland Press Herald •
May 7, 2026
AbuseNeglect
MaineHyde School
A lawsuit against Hyde School alleging abuse and neglect is ongoing, despite the attorney for the former student being sanctioned for using artificial intelligence to generate inaccurate legal citations. The attorney has accepted responsibility and will continue to work on the case. The lawsuit claims the school violated human trafficking, forced labor, and negligence laws.
Patrick Kelly •
The Portland Press Herald •
Jan 11, 2026
Child Abuse
MaineHyde School
A letter to the editor questions the validity of a Maine court case involving a former pupil of Hyde School who alleges child abuse. The author suggests that the case may be flimsy and notes that the Maine lawyer for the plaintiff stepped away from the case. The letter also draws comparisons between Hyde School and private schools in England, highlighting the robust nature of their education systems.
Forced LaborPrivate SchoolsEscapeSurvivor StoriesMaineHyde School
Former students of the Hyde School in Bath, Maine recount experiences they describe as abusive, including forced labor, physical restraint, and punitive isolation. Their accounts have resurfaced following a federal lawsuit filed in 2025 that seeks class‑action status for individuals alleging similar treatment.
Forced LaborHuman TraffickingExploitationMaineHyde School
A lawsuit alleging forced labor and trafficking at the Hyde School is ongoing, with the defense arguing that the laws cited do not apply to the school's practices. The plaintiff's attorneys claim that the labor was commercial and coercive in nature, and that students were subjected to various forms of abuse. The case is currently focused on errors in court filings, which the defense argues should not be dismissed lightly.
Former students of Hyde School in Bath, Maine, have come forward with allegations of abuse, including physical labor and humiliating punishments, which they say have had long-lasting negative impacts on their lives. The allegations have been denied by the school. A federal lawsuit has been filed against the school, seeking class action status to represent anyone who experienced forced labor at the school since 2015.
A lawsuit has been filed against Hyde School, alleging forced labor and abuse. The school has denied the claims and is seeking to dismiss the lawsuit. The plaintiff, Jessica Fuller, attended the school in 2014 and 2015 and alleges she was physically restrained and forced to do manual labor as punishment.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Dana McAvity, Malcolm Gauld, Laura Denton Gauld, Don MacMillan, Gigi Gauld MacMillan, Laurie Gauld Hurd
A former student of Hyde School shares their negative experience at the school, stating that they were subjected to extreme situations that caused psychological and physical distress. The student expresses gratitude towards other survivors who have come forward to share their stories. The school's tactics and punishment methods are described as cruel and traumatic.
Wilderness TherapySurvivor StoriesMaineHyde School
A survivor shares their experience of attending Hyde School's Summer Challenge program, where they endured physical and emotional abuse, including forced labor, physical restraint, and humiliation. The survivor reflects on the long-term effects of their experience and the importance of reclaiming their voice. The article also mentions lawsuits and reports of abuse at the school.
Peter D. St. Phillip Jr. •
Central Maine •
Jul 21, 2025
Forced Labor
Hyde SchoolEducationMaine
A parent of a current Hyde School student wrote a letter to the editor expressing concern over the school's coverage in a recent lawsuit. The parent argues that the school's approach to character development and ethics is more meaningful than other schools. The letter defends the school's practices, stating that requiring students to perform light chores is not equivalent to forced labor trafficking.
A letter to the editor discusses the author's positive experience with Hyde School, which their son attended in the 1990s. The author contrasts their experience with recent lawsuits filed by former students who allege they suffered from various issues, including sexual abuse and depression. The author defends Hyde School's philosophy and character education program.
Former students of Hyde School have come forward with allegations of mistreatment, including physical and emotional abuse, at the private school in Bath, Maine. The allegations include a discipline system of forced labor and shame-based group therapy. Some former students and parents have defended the school, stating that it provided a positive and transformative experience.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Joseph Gauld, Laura Denton Gauld, Malcolm Gauld, Martha Gaythwaite
A former student of Hyde School in Maine has filed a lawsuit alleging forced child labor, physical and verbal abuse, and denial of basic needs. The lawsuit claims that students were exploited for labor both on and off campus, and that the school profited from their work. The plaintiff's attorneys are seeking compensation under state and federal laws that allow survivors of human trafficking to pursue civil damages.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:The Gaulds, Malcolm Gauld, Laura Gauld
Private SchoolsForced LaborSurvivor StoriesStaff MisconductSexual MisconductMaineHyde School
Former students of Hyde School filed a federal class-action lawsuit alleging that the boarding school subjected students to emotional, physical, and sexual mistreatment, forced labor, and coercive group therapy sessions. School leadership denied the allegations, stating that the claims mischaracterized the institution's character education model.
Facilities:Hyde School
Key Figures:Joseph Gauld, Malcolm Gauld, Laura Gauld, Dana McAvity
Riley Board •
The Portland Press Herald •
Jan 16, 2013
Private SchoolsMaineHyde School
Don MacMillan, the headmaster of Hyde School, has announced his decision to step down from his position at the end of the school year. Laura Gauld, a Hyde graduate and current executive director of Hyde's boarding schools, will take over as head of school. MacMillan has spent nearly 30 years at Hyde School, including the past five as headmaster.
